You might think a vehicle as tall and heavy as the Mercedes-Benz GL luxury SUV for 2016 could be a handful, but its tank-like solidity and taut suspension would prove you wrong. Comfortable and stable, the GL feels like any other big Mercedes sedan only with more seats and a higher driving position. The interior is well isolated from outside distractions, but there is some noticeable tire noise on the V8 and AMG trims due to their larger performance tires. Under its hood, the 2016 GL-Class from Mercedes-Benz offers a number of tantalizing powertrains. Be it the twin-turbo V6 in the GL450, the torque-happy diesel in the GL350 BlueTEC or the awesome thrust provided by 550 horsepower in the GL63 AMG, power is one commodity never in short supply. The GL comes standard with 4Matic all-wheel drive, which can even be equipped with a 2-speed transfer case for light off-roading.

You might think a vehicle as tall and heavy as the Mercedes-Benz GL luxury SUV for 2016 could be a handful, but its tank-like solidity and taut suspension would prove you wrong. Comfortable and stable, the GL feels like any other big Mercedes sedan only with more seats and a higher driving position. The interior is well isolated from outside distractions, but there is some noticeable tire noise on the V8 and AMG trims due to their larger performance tires. Under its hood, the 2016 GL-Class from Mercedes-Benz offers a number of tantalizing powertrains. Be it the twin-turbo V6 in the GL450, the torque-happy diesel in the GL350 BlueTEC or the awesome thrust provided by 550 horsepower in the GL63 AMG, power is one commodity never in short supply. The GL comes standard with 4Matic all-wheel drive, which can even be equipped with a 2-speed transfer case for light off-roading.

Dial it there, and the SUV barrels into sweeping curves with little body roll. Our tester鈥檚 P295/40R21 Z-rated tires stuck to the road like chewing gum to a desk. Unfortunately, none of those settings address the SUV鈥檚 straight-line composure 鈥?and when the pavement turns bumpy, the downsides show. Living with the GL is equally cushy. 1,620 option) and practically unlimited adjustability that could bring almost anyone to a comfortable driving position. 1,100), which inflates and deflates air bladders at timed intervals to create a kind of pressure-point massage. It doesn鈥檛 actually feel like a massage, though; it鈥檚 more like someone pushing you in the back. This is no Brookstone rolling massage shiatsu chair, but it isn鈥檛 half bad if you鈥檝e spent all day in tiny regional jets and airport lounges. 1,950) in the front-seat head restraints for rear passengers. The switches and buttons had a slick, high-quality feel, and the gauges were large and easily legible. 590), with matching burl walnut on the instrument panel, center console and doors (included with the leather seats).

The GL is fully up-to-date in terms of electronics, featuring a full suite of standard connectivity options including Bluetooth cellphone link with streaming audio, a backup camera, keyless entry and start, and the company鈥檚 optional mbrace2 information and entertainment package. The audio system鈥檚 sound quality is top drawer, but its operation is less than stellar. Selecting a preset radio station, for instance, is a multiclick operation. Mercedes uses a five-way selector and knob combination on the center console instead of a touch-screen, which saves the screen from smudgy fingerprints but does take some time to learn to use well. The interior鈥檚 biggest asset is its versatility. This is a seven-seat SUV with two decent-sized third-row spots for adult-sized humans. Behind the third row of seats is 16 cubic feet of cargo room, climbing to 49.4 cubic feet with the third row stored. With the second row folded, maximum cargo room in the GL is a sizable 93.8 cubic feet.

This compares favorably with competitors like the Land Rover Range Rover (71.7 cubic feet) and Audi Q7 (72.5 cubic feet), but comes up short of bigger trucks like the Cadillac Escalade (108.9 cubic feet). Click here to see a comparison of these models. The GL-Class has not been crash-tested. Like most well-optioned Mercedes vehicles, the GL450 has a host of electronic safety equipment, a laundry list of 鈥?Matic鈥? 鈥?Magic鈥?and 鈥?Tronic鈥?branded systems. Our test GL450 SUV featured the standard 4Matic all-wheel drive and Airmatic height adjustable air suspension, as well as Parktronic active park assist (an automatic parking function) and Distronic Plus automatic braking function. Even more advanced safety systems are available in packages like the Driver Assistance Package and Parking Assist Package. Systems like electronic stability and traction control, trailer sway control, antilock brakes and even a crosswind stability program are standard. To see more safety equipment information, click here.